Taking a break from their routine diplomatic activities, envoys from across the world posted in New Delhi twisted, turned, stretched and performed asanas and pranayam while synchronysing their breath with their movements. In a unique event, hundreds of diplomats for the first time came together under one roof this International Yoga Day (IYD) for a special yoga session organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Besides, Indian embassies around the world also organised events to make the day a grand success.
In New Delhi, the special event for the diplomats at the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra was led by External Affairs Minister (EAM) Sushma Swaraj. Among those present were the Acting Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassadors and High Commissioners apart from the MEA officers. With early morning rain bringing down the heat level, there was considerable enthusiasm among the diplomats who turned out in large numbers from the Missions of countries near and far and the main auditorium of the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra was packed to capacity.
The special event saw — also for the first time — a unique rendering of 11 ancient prayers (Sanskrit shlokas) for peace, brotherhood and harmony. All the prayers for peace ended with the chanting of shanti, shanti, shanti.
In her brief remarks at the beginning of the event, Swaraj recalled the global support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative in 2014 for the United Nations to designate 21st June as International Day of Yoga. She stressed that Yoga belongs not merely to India, but to the whole world and is a complete system for well being and harmony within ourselves, nature and the world. EAM thanked the international community for its tremendous support for yoga’s recognition at UNESCO as intangible heritage of mankind, and for the enthusiastic celebration of IYD in all nations over the past three years at iconic global locations and world capitals.
Interestingly, a day before the Yoga Day, several diplomats were seen practicing postures. “Yoga is a hard work... A joint workout session for @IsraelinIndia staff preparing for #YogaDay2017,” Froim Ditza, head of public diplomacy of the Israeli Embassy tweeted along with a picture in which the ambassador Daniel Carmon trying to perfect some of the aasans.
Indian diplomats world over too organised events to mark the day. “From the Arch of Peace, to lake Titicaca, from amidst the mountains in Mexico to a marathon in Ukraine #YogaDay resounds across the world,” MEA spokesperson Goapl Baglay said as he tweeted pictures from Indian Missions.
In Islamabad, the Indian High Commission had organised a special Yoga session for the international diplomatic community posted there. In China, apart from Yoga activities taking place in various cities, a major event was organised on the Great Wall of China.